UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 72 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Aspartame Low Calorie Sweetener

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use?

  1. Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
  2. When aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
  3. Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
  4. Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation
Show answer

Answer: D. Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

Verdict

Correct Answer: Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

Analysis

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. It gives sweetness with very small quantity because it is much sweeter than ordinary table sugar.

1. Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence small quantities yield fewer calories — Correct

Aspartame has almost the same caloric value per gram as sugar, but it is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose.

Therefore, only a very small amount is needed to sweeten food or drinks, making the total calorie contribution very low.

2. Aspartame is not oxidized in the body — Incorrect

Aspartame is digested and metabolized in the body.

It breaks down into amino acids and methanol, so it is not correct to say that it is not oxidized.

3. Aspartame is resistant to digestive enzymes — Incorrect

Aspartame is broken down by normal digestive processes.

Its low-calorie effect is due to the tiny amount used, not because it resists digestion.

4. Aspartame metabolites do not yield calories — Incorrect

Its metabolites can yield calories because amino acids are caloric.

However, the quantity used is so small that the calorie contribution becomes negligible.

Extra UPSC info

* Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar.

* It is made from two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

* It is commonly used in diet soft drinks, chewing gums and low-calorie desserts.

* Aspartame is not heat-stable, so it is generally not suitable for baking.

* People with phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame because it contains phenylalanine.

* Do not confuse low-calorie sweeteners with zero metabolism; some are metabolized but used in very tiny amounts.

How to crack it

Aspartame gives fewer calories in food items because it is much sweeter than sugar and only a very small quantity is needed.

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